Rains put a bug in South India's tea cup

Heavy rains in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu have led to increased pest attacks.

KOCHI: Rain and humidity in southern India over the last few weeks have increased pest attacks on tea bushes in plantations and brought down output. According to tea planters, unprecedented heavy rains in August and September in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu have led to in creased attacks by tea mosquito bug (TMB) in the plantations in some regions.

Tea production in south India rose 15.5 million kg between January and July this year. However, this may not amount to growth as tea production in south India had plunged in 2016 due to a drought, with output touching only 212.9 million kg compared with the yearly average of 240 million kg.

“In August, tea production could be down by 0.6-1 million kg compared with the same month of the previous year. In September, it could be similar or slightly less from a year ago,“ said R Sanjith, head of commodities of United Planters' Associ ation of Southern India (Up asi).

“This year, the attack was mild till August com pared with last year. But rains in August and September have triggered increased attack,“ said B Radhakrishnan, director of research at Upasi. Upasi has been fighting the menace with integrated pest management, using pheromones and releasing predator organisms that destroy the bugs. “Quarantining the infected area has not worked effectively as there is transport of tea leaves from these estates to other ones,“ said Radhakrishnan. Upasi sees the TMB menace continuing in October too because of wet weather conditions. South Indian tea prices have been comparatively low this year. “The average prices are around ` .8 . 96 per kg, about ` lower than last year,“ said N Dharmaraj, CEO, Harrisons Malayalam, which has tea estates in the Vandiperiyar region.